television explorer who's been to world's most bad areas says 'nothing compares' to newest go back and forth

He has walked the size of the Nile and ventured via one of the world's most faraway places.

but television explorer Levison wood says nothing compares to his latest travel across the Arabian Peninsula.

the former military important describes the 5,000-mile journey as his "finishing touch", beginning in Kurdistan earlier than moving through Iraq, Yemen, Syria, Jordan, Palestine, Israel and Lebanon.

IS turned into in manage of massive ingredients of Iraq and Syria all through his six months within the region.

He witnessed the stunning scenes of cities in ruins, broken households after which sailed on waters centered by using pirates.

the former army primary describes the 5,000-mile experience as his "final touch" (picture: SIMON BUXTON) timber met notorious Iraqi sniper Abu Tahsin al-Salhi (who killed greater than 350 IS soldiers), but then discovered he had been killed on the remaining day of the battle (picture: AFP/Getty photographs) examine greater

wood, 37, famed for documentaries on walks in the Himalayas, the Americas and from Russia to Iran, talked about: "Going via Iraq, we have been embedded with the militia corporations who had been fighting in opposition t IS.

"It became the last few weeks of the battle. At that element, we didn't are aware of it however the Iraqi forces had been successful."

The ex-Para added: "I had fought in Afghanistan and travelled to a lot of warfare zones but this felt like all of the wars packed into two days because it become so extreme.

"t felt like i used to be on some strange Hollywood set.

timber, 37, famed for documentaries on walks in the Himalayas, the Americas and from Russia to Iran, observed: "Going via Iraq, we were embedded with the militia groups who were fighting against IS" (photo: Simon Buxton)

We were riding through bombed-out cities and villages, and it didn't think somewhat actual – peculiarly with the black flags of IS flying.

"I did suppose relatively safe however there changed into always an opportunity I could die."

His scary exploits had been filmed for a Discovery Channel documentary, Arabia With Levison timber, and he believes there are indications of hope for the longer term.

He referred to: "to look these villages being liberated, with girls and youngsters operating out and thanking Iraqi troops for saving them, became miraculous."

timber met Iraqi sniper Abu Tahsin al-Salhi, who shot more than 350 IS soldiers, however then wood found he had been killed, aged sixty three, on the last day of the war.

His frightening exploits have been filmed for a Discovery Channel documentary Arabia With Levison timber, but he insisted that there are high quality signs of hope for the long run (image: SIMON BUXTON) read extra

"That introduced it domestic how dangerous it became available," he said.

a further character he got here across was a Bedouin nomad, who lives in a cave and is illiterate. timber referred to: "however we're still chums on facebook – as we talk the use of handiest emojis.

Isn't that staggering?" What struck him turned into how some people are trying to get on with their lives, "now not caring about politics or religion".

He had to go away Yemen because if he went further West there become a probability of a drone strike by means of the Saudis.

IS changed into in handle of big components of Iraq and Syria all through his six months in the area

wood explained: "We acquired on a fishing boat over the Arabian Sea – essentially the most closely pirated waters on earth. It changed into basically a floating matchbox for five days, which became terrifying.

"You don't know who the unhealthy guys are. The police chief might be organising piracy, the native governor might possibly be the leader of al-Qaeda, or the pinnacle of the army might fund terrorists."

He realised lots of the IS soldiers that the Iraqis had been fighting have been from different countries, including Britain.

Londoner timber noted: "it's embarrassing as a Brit to have Iraqis asking, 'Why are you sending us these scumbags that are ruining our country?'

"if they are warring towards British troopers, that's tantamount to treason."

Arabia With Levison wood, Discovery Channel, 9pm, tomorrow evening.

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